gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,782
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Post by gemfeller on Mar 7, 2015 17:55:27 GMT -5
Wow! What a collecting spot! fantastic5, your images of iridescent hematite/goethite coated quartz are amazing. It reminds me of fire agate without the clear quartz covering layer. The "bubbly" texture is making me really re-think my theory of how fire agate may be deposited. Is there evidence of hot volcanic springs there? Are bubbly quartz textures like that (without the hematite/goethite) common? I wonder what those pieces would look like with a little gentle soda or glass bead blasting? Great trip photo journal!
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 7, 2015 18:05:34 GMT -5
gemfeller I've been told to not even wash the Graves material. I'm sure there are exceptions however. So, I've always just gently brushed my finds and left it at that. I don't believe any of the quartz itself is bubbly, that is how the hematite/goethite deposited over the top. As to the geology, I've never looked into it, but if you take a look at garock 's post, he goes into detail.
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garock
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2006
Posts: 1,168
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Post by garock on Mar 8, 2015 10:27:23 GMT -5
Great Shots ! I did not realize that you had already been there ! You know exactly where I am talking about. Have you ever found the blue/green phyrophylite ? Sometimes where the radiating crystals forms and the beginning of new flowers, small cubic forms appear. Not sure what the are yet. Neat to look at with a microscope. The blue/green color is said to be from chromium. Some nice rutile crystals have been found in the phyrophylite seams. I never found any but always was looking. Thank you for sharing the photos !
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 8, 2015 10:49:48 GMT -5
Great Shots ! I did not realize that you had already been there ! You know exactly where I am talking about. Have you ever found the blue/green phyrophylite ? Sometimes where the radiating crystals forms and the beginning of new flowers, small cubic forms appear. Not sure what the are yet. Neat to look at with a microscope. The blue/green color is said to be from chromium. Some nice rutile crystals have been found in the phyrophylite seams. I never found any but always was looking. Thank you for sharing the photos ! I've only been there for two of the open house weekends. So I feel like I have only scratched the surface on what can be found and where. I don't think I ever even seen the blue/green phyrophylite, what I have found has always been the golden.
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Post by cpdad on Mar 8, 2015 14:03:42 GMT -5
i have a few big pieces that my wife found from graves....they show patterns of Pyrophyllite...but me just not sure...i have been wanting to chip away at them for a while...but just cant make myself. one is about a 5lb piece that shows the pattern all the way across a 6 inch section...the 4 lb piece just in places....both full of pyrite also...at least thats what it looks like....will get some pics shortly...maybe yaw graves folks can take a look and tell me maybe what is....tell me to chip away at it and i will ...kev.
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,101
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 8, 2015 14:15:01 GMT -5
There is a stong possibility that myself and brother Wyobrian will make the Friday dig...We will be coming back from North Carolina that day... we are going through to see an old friend ..any suggestions on where to hunt on our way up Sunday and Monday the weekend before or any one want to take a couple of old dog hounding. ? Let me know...John
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 8, 2015 17:50:46 GMT -5
The iridescencent botryoids are awesome fantastic5. Along with the rutile crystal. as you know that place is famous for museum grade rutile crystals. No slouch in the kyanite dept either. Cool stuff.
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Post by snowmom on Mar 9, 2015 6:19:56 GMT -5
I'm so jealous. great information here.. great pics, looks like a great time!
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 9, 2015 8:29:35 GMT -5
There is a stong possibility that myself and brother Wyobrian will make the Friday dig...We will be coming back from North Carolina that day... we are going through to see an old friend ..any suggestions on where to hunt on our way up Sunday and Monday the weekend before or any one want to take a couple of old dog hounding. ? Let me know...John What part of North Carolina will you be traveling to and what is your general route north? I may be able to put together a few ideas for you.
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,101
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 9, 2015 11:40:59 GMT -5
We are pretty much taking I-20 all the way to the Atlantic .The return might go through Franklin NC... then back down to Graves mountain. .then back to Louisiana. ..John
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 9, 2015 14:54:34 GMT -5
Feel free to drop in and see James Thunder69. I know the plant schedule will keep me hopping at that time. But last day heads up should work. I am 10 miles south of I-20 just outside west side of Atlanta.
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 9, 2015 15:55:09 GMT -5
cpdad, sure hope you'll come on over to the site. I remember seeing pics of your dog on the forum. I think he was on the jetski?? If you'll be fishing, I imagine Rick would rather spend time with you instead of at Graves, lol. kap, will definitely stop by and say hi! Awesome Graves specimens, captbob and fantastic5! Ann, how did you manage to get the large specimens to your vehicle? A crane? I wanted to ask what all of you use to carry large amounts of materials? I thought about taking our 'plastic' wheel barrow, lol. Have a friend that converted a golf caddy into a rock cart. Thank you for posting directions of where to find mineral specimens, garock! I guess it's like going fishing and you have to find the best spots to go?? Or do they give instructions before the dig or do they have signs out, such as 'rutile found here?' -> Would any of you like to meet at one of the locations at the site at a certain time?
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,101
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 9, 2015 16:27:16 GMT -5
James it sounds like a plan...I will let you know... I have been to Graves before .. I will see if I can find some pics from there to add to the post...John
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,155
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Post by jamesp on Mar 9, 2015 17:20:38 GMT -5
James it sounds like a plan...I will let you know... I have been to Graves before .. I will see if I can find some pics from there to add to the post...John Keep in mind Atlanta traffic 7AM-9AM and 3PM-6PM, week days. Construction traffic on the weekends.
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Post by kap on Mar 9, 2015 17:39:16 GMT -5
Everyone is welcome to meet and hang out and tell lies at our booth! Just look for the KapsRocks sign. Be sure to stop and show us y'alls finds since we wont be doing much digging.
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 10, 2015 12:56:06 GMT -5
We are pretty much taking I-20 all the way to the Atlantic .The return might go through Franklin NC... then back down to Graves mountain. .then back to Louisiana. ..John Places to consider not too far off your route would be: Hogg MineDiamond Hill MineAmos Cunningham Farm cunninghamamos@yahoo.com or 864-379-8918 or 864-992-7843 Savannah River Agate
Hope this helps! Ann
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 10, 2015 13:00:11 GMT -5
cpdad, sure hope you'll come on over to the site. I remember seeing pics of your dog on the forum. I think he was on the jetski?? If you'll be fishing, I imagine Rick would rather spend time with you instead of at Graves, lol. kap, will definitely stop by and say hi! Awesome Graves specimens, captbob and fantastic5! Ann, how did you manage to get the large specimens to your vehicle? A crane? I wanted to ask what all of you use to carry large amounts of materials? I thought about taking our 'plastic' wheel barrow, lol. Have a friend that converted a golf caddy into a rock cart. Thank you for posting directions of where to find mineral specimens, garock! I guess it's like going fishing and you have to find the best spots to go?? Or do they give instructions before the dig or do they have signs out, such as 'rutile found here?' -> Would any of you like to meet at one of the locations at the site at a certain time? During the open houses Junior gets multiple golf carts and volunteers to haul people and their material around the site. Walk when you can, but it sure is nice to catch a ride back out with a heavy load. Make sure you bring plenty of $1's to tip the drivers with. As far as carts go my husband bought me one of these several years ago and I seldom go on a dig without it.
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Post by cpdad on Mar 10, 2015 19:16:23 GMT -5
hey thunder...not sure of your schedule to be rolling thru augusta...but if ya got maybe 2 hours...from i-20...i can probably hook up with you and do the savannah river site...i live 3 minutes off i-20. just thought i would throw this out there . if anyone would like to...or needs to...23rd-26th...i got tents that i can throw up on my campsite...i am there all year thru october. if it gets to cold...heck we can all cuddle in the camper . if not...we can fish..me got poles....or sit around the fire and talk trash my wife cooks breakfast really early...so thats good...all eat . then she cooks dinner...even better...then we fish more . if ya gotta twinkle...ya can twinkle in the camper....no poopy in camper . gotta poopy...i got a little tricked out golf cart that will haul you to the poopy house...then we can fish more . the golf cart has a radio for your relaxation...and lights so you dont lose your way . after a hard day digging...if someone would like to stop by and take the kayaks out for a relaxing paddle...you most certainly can . i gonna mostly drink beer and fish all weekend...kev.
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Thunder69
Cave Dweller
Thunder 2000-2015
Member since January 2009
Posts: 3,101
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Post by Thunder69 on Mar 10, 2015 19:36:21 GMT -5
Ann and Kev thanks for the info and invite....I am in the planning stages and will get it squared away this week and let you know...Ann is that a broll cart? I have something I am going to modify and bring...just got to wait out the rain to get all mad scientist on it...LOL...John
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Post by fantastic5 on Mar 10, 2015 19:47:38 GMT -5
Ann and Kev thanks for the info and invite....I am in the planning stages and will get it squared away this week and let you know...Ann is that a broll cart? I have something I am going to modify and bring...just got to wait out the rain to get all mad scientist on it...LOL...John Im not sure of the brand name. We bought it from a guy who was selling them at the Hogg mine several years ago. I will say that when i google broll cart the images look identical.
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